Manifold heater



Apr. 24,-1923.- 1,453,007 L. FLEGAL MANIFOLD HEATER Filed May 14 1921 Manta:

attozmq Patented Apr. 24, 1923.

UNITE srarss LORIN FLEGAIJ, OF MOUNT WILLIAMS, VIRGINIA.

MANIFOLD HEATER.

Application filed May 14,

To all whom it may concern p Be it known that I, LORIN FLneAL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mount Williams, in the county of Frederickand State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Manifold Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in 10 devices for facilitating the starting of automobiles, and has particular reference to a device for heating the intake manifold of an automobile, so that the explosive charge taken therethrough from the carburetor will be heated by contact with the interior wall of the manifold, and will be readily explosive when received into the explosion 0113111! hers of the motor.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive heating element,

which may be quickly attached to and detached from the intake manifold of an automobile, and when in operative position will practically enclose or enfo-ld the manifold, so. that the explosive mixture will be sub jected to heat from all sides, substantially from the time it leaves the carburetor until it is received into the cylinders of the motor.

It is likewise an object of the invention to provide such a device which may be readily attached or detached without necessitating a disconnection of any parts of the engine mechanism, or interfering with the functioning thereof, the device in fact, merely utilizing the intake manifold as a suspension support.

Again it is an object of the invention to provide a heating device in the form of a manifold enfolding container. in which a heat producing substance or substances, such for instance as calcium oxide and water, may he placed to generate heat, which is communicated to the intake manifold pipe and therefrom to the explosive mixture, as it passes to the engine.

My device may be attached to motors only as required, or it may be left thereon without danger of loss, inasmuch as the container, when closed, is securely locked to the intake manifold pipe by reason of the mechanical construction of the container and its cover.

With the above objects in view and such others as mayhereinafter appear, my invention will be fully set forth and described, reference being had to the accompanying 1921; Serial No. 469,695.

drawings in which like characters indicate like parts throughout.

In said drawings Figure 1 1s a perspective view of the device detached from theengine and having its cover removed. In Flgure 2 is a perspective view, showing the device in operative position upon a manifold of wall of the container consists of the wall sections D and E, and shaped section G, which projects into the container and with its sides F and H forms a conforming wall which. enfolds orsurrounds the major portion of the circumference of the vertical arm of the intake manifold when the device is in position, the lower edge of the element G beingsecured throughout its length to a horse shoe shaped recess 1 cut into the bottom of'the container from the rear side of the latter.

The upper edge of the middle portion of the element G rises to a level with the upper edges of the container, but the side walls F and H thereof are indented as at f, to provide recesses corresponding to the recess C to receive the horizontal arms of the manifold, so that said horizontal arms lie substantially wholly within the container when the device is in position.

The vertical end wall L and the front wall M complete the container so that substances or fluids placed therein cannot escape. The upper edges of the real wall sections D and E are provided with the inturned flanges J and K, respectively, said flanges preferably being shaped from the m aterial which. forms the back wall of the container. Said flanges J and K constitute retaining devices for the cover P, said cover being provided with the front flange R and the end flanges Q and S, which overlap the correspondingwalls of the container when the rear edge of the cover has been received under the retaining flanges J K.

The spring clip or catch 0 secured to the front side or wall of the container is adapted to snap over the cover P, when the latter is in position, and in conjunction with the retaining flanges J and K securely holds the cover in position.

The rear corners of the cover P are provided with the recesses T and U, which conform to the shape of the projecting ends of the manifold (a) and (a). It should be noted, however, that the recesses T and U do not closely fit against the arms (a) and (a), but provide narrow slots through which the heat generated in the container may escape and in escaping tend to \(var)1n the extremities of the arms (a) and In use the heater is placed around the intake manifold by inserting the upper right arm of the manifold into the conforming element G and then lifting the heater until wall sections D and E are positioned at the back of the horizontal arm of the manifold and the upper portion of the element G rests in front thereof, so that the manifold rests snugly in the recesses (f) with the arms (a) projecting through the recess G. The cover when applied and secured by the spring clip O causes the manifold to be practically entirely enclosed or enfolded by the heater. Heat may be generated in the heater through the reactions of chemicals such as the dissolution of calcium oxide in water or by the burning of suitable substances therein.

If desired the device may be externally covered with asbestos to permit the immediate removal of the container with the bare hands when in its heated condition. The

device may be made of any suitable material such as galvanized iron, and may be altered in its details of conformation to be fitted to the irregularities of various constructions of manifolds.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that my improved device is well adapted for the rapid and efficient heatingof automobile engines, especially in cold weather when it is difficult to cause the instant explosion of gases before the engine has been sufficiently heated to provide for the proper combustion of the explosive mixture.

What I claim as my invention, is:

1. A manifold heater, comprising a receptacle shaped to substantially enfold the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, and a cover-plate associated with the receptacle to lock the latter in position and to overlie the manifold.

2. A manifold heater, comprising a receptacle shaped to substantially enfold the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, the rear walls of said receptacle being adapted to be projected behind the manifold, and a cover plate associated with the receptacle and engaging with said rear walls to lock the receptacle in position.

3. A manifold heater, comprising a recep tacle shaped to engage over the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. in substantially enclosing relation, the rear walls of the receptacle being shaped to surround the vertical arm of the manifold and having sections which engage behind the latter, and a cover plate for said receptacle which engages said rear wall sections to lock the receptacle in place.

LOB-IN FLEGAL. 

